Historic Perth and Highland Perthshire
Did you know that Perth was once the capital of Scotland and there is a wealth of history and historical sites around the Perthshire area? Most recently Perth Museum just opened its doors after a major re-development and is the new home of the Stone of Destiny. The Stone of Destiny, also known as the stone of Scone, is one of Scotland’s most significant historic objects. The Stone of Destiny is an ancient symbol of Scottish monarchy and it was first documented in 1249 for the inauguration of King Alexander III. This historic artefact is still used to crown kings and queens of the United Kingdom today including King Charles III in May 2023.
You can see the Stone of Destiny at the new Perth Museum for free on your way to your holiday in Highland Perthshire, Aviemore and The Cairngorms National Park. You are not allowed to take photographs of it, so you have to go and see it for yourself.
On your way from Perth travelling North through this area of Perthshire there are lots of places to explore and enjoy.
Here are fourteen of our favourite things to do on your way through Highland Perthshire:
Scone Palace
Scone Palace was where the Stone of Destiny was used to crown Scottish kings and where King Alexander III was crowned. Scone has been the centre point for struggles for power throughout Scottish history so a guided tour is a must along with a visit to the beautiful grounds and the maze. Have a seat on the replica Stone of Destiny and be crowned, try and pull a sword out of a stone or spot a peacock!
Meikleour Beech Hedge
Just up the road is the Meikleour Beech Hedge which is in the Guiness Book of Records as the highest hedge in the world and was planted in 1745. You can find this Hedge on the A93 on your way to our next favourite place to stop. The hedge was planted in the Autumn of 1745, after the second Jacobite uprising at Culloden and the hedge is a living memory of the men that lost their lives at the Battle of Culloden that year.
Ballathie House Hotel
Ballathie House Hotel, offers elegance and stunning views over the River Tay along with a fresh catch of the day served straight to your plate. This Scottish Gem offers world class food fresh from Perthshire. Ballathie House has a rich history being built in 1886 and was known for the best fishing and even had its own railway halt when there was a train passing this way. If you want something special then pop in here for lunch or dinner.
Kinclaven Bluebell Woods
Kinclaven Bluebell Woods on the Ballathie Estate is well known for the spectacular display of bluebells that carpet the woodland floor in May, but there is plenty more to explore too. The woods are stunning and there is lots of wildlife to be spotted, as well as a rich history. Look out for red squirrel, greater spotted woodpecker, pine marten, deer and loads more. Kinclaven Castle was burnt down by the famous knight William Wallace during a siege in 1297 and the remains are still visible in the undergrowth.
Persie Distillery
Persie Distillery is Just up the road on the Glenshee Road you will find this Distillery with a variety of Gins including a Spaniel Gin and a Labrador Gin! They admit themselves they do not take themselves too seriously and have the most amazing collection of fun postcards and lots of funny sayings. What an amazing fun team of people and obviously they make great Gin too! Winning several awards for their Highland Perthshire Gin. They also do vodka, the Distillery vodka is called Pusscat! A premium spirit with a silky smooth finish which scored a win at the World Vodka Awards when it was released – one of only four vodkas awarded a medal in the UK in 2022.
Uisge
Uisge is a family owned restaurant and bar in the heart of the beautiful Perthshire countryside. It has a relaxed and informal feel, a perfect way to start the morning or unwind after a hard day. The focus is on quality ingredients using fresh, local, seasonal produce and they stock that lovely gin from the Persie Distillery too. This restaurant is very family friendly and a lovely surprise find on your way North. It is pronounced ooosh ghe. Uisge means water in Gaelic.
Stewart Tower Dairy
Stewart Tower Dairy use their very own fresh milk to make their Italian style dairy ice cream. This is a bit of a local Perthshire gem that everybody knows about locally as they have so many different ice creams (about 250) and it tastes amazing because they make their own milk too! Look out for the goats and the pigs as well as the cows!
The best Instagram spot!
It’s couple of miles north of Pitlochry on the old road there is a left hand turn that leads down to The Queens View and Lochs Tummel and Rannoch. From the bridge you can take the best picture of the river and the trees, make sure you stop in the nearby car park. There are also a number of great walks you can explore from here and our favourite leads from the car park down to the Linn of Tummel which is only about 1km away. There are some great spots for picnics down there at the right time of year you may see salmon leaping up the waterfalls. Head in the other direction and you will soon find yourself at the Killiecrankie Visitors’ Centre with access to the famous Soldier’s Leap. If you are brave enough you can also book a bungee jump from a specially built pod underneath the main bridge. The highest fixed point jump in Scotland. Jumps can be purchased at the nearby Killiecrankie Visitors’ Centre through Highland Fling.
Pitlochry Dam
The visitor Centre at Pitlochry Dam has an exhibition about Scotland’s hydro electricity history and the most amazing construction of the Tummel-Garry scheme as well as a great café serving a lovely lunch. Please check if they are open before you go as they are usually closed on a Monday and Tuesday.
Hettie’s Tea Room
Hetties Tea Room in Pitlochry serves great tea and much much more. Try Hettie’s hot chocolate from heaven! With a Cadbury’s cream egg. They do amazing tea, cake and scones.
Ben Vrackie
Ben Vrackie stands at 841 metres tall above Pitlochry, not quite high enough to be a Munro this Ben is classified as a Corbett and takes most walkers around four hours to complete. Due to its appearance, Ben Vrackie is also known as the ‘Speckled Mountain’. The walk, although in some places is steep, is well worth the climb due to the commanding views of the nearby glens and the beautiful surrounding. Once you reach the summit, the viewpoint will give a helpful explanation of what you can see in the distance, if the weather allows it.The paths to the summit are generally well maintained and well-worn. The trail takes you through deep woodland, moorland and around the calm waters of Loch a’Choire up to the summit itself. There is a convenient car park for walkers just outside of the village of Moulin or you can walk from the Moulin Inn and finish at the Moulin Inn. Where else can you conquer a mountain and then have a refreshing pint!
Pitlochry Station Bookshop
Get yourself a bargain at Pitlochry Station Bookshop. Most of the books are about a pound and all the money goes to charity. Pitlochry Station Bookshop is the perfect place to pass some time. It’s located on the Pitlochry railway station’s platform 1. It’s a real treasure trove, despite being very small it has a great Scottish section. You might find some bargains about the local area. They will also take your used books as a donation.
The Blair Atholl Water Mill
Get some homegrown bread at The Blair Atholl Water Mill. There has been a mill at Blair since the 1590’s and it is one of the last three operational watermills in Scotland. You can view the working mill and see how to stone grind wheat, oats, rye and spelt in the traditional manner. This helps retain the nutritional benefits of the grain as well as giving the produce a delicious nutty flavour. The mill produces pinhead, coarse, medium and fine oatmeal and coarse wholemeal, rye and spelt flour, and wholemeal and bread flour which you can buy in the shop along with a wide variety of breads, cakes, bagels and rolls.
House of Bruar
Shop until you drop at House of Bruar, Scotland’s luxury shop on the A9 just past Atholl. They sell everything from Cashmere to Sandwiches. The food court sells Scottish produce from Gin to Salmon and Whisky. You can find everything here from original pieces of art work to beautiful pieces of jewellery. They always have an amazing sale too.
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